The State of Boomer Independents is a new research report from MBO Partners that covers the growing trend towards baby boomers becoming independent workers (freelancers, consultants, etc.). Emergent Research (that's us) partnered with MBO Partners and Rockbridge Associates on this study.
The research found that there are roughly 5 million baby boomer independents and we are forecasting an additional 1.2 million boomers will join their ranks over the next 2 years.
The other key findings are most baby boomers chose to become an independent worker, the vast majority enjoy being independent and few plan to return to a traditional job. The key data points are:
- 59% chose to be independent and only 24% said job loss led to them becoming independent
- 85% are satisfied and only 5% report being dissatisfied with independence.
- Only 8% report that they likely to return to traditional employment
The main reasons baby boomers like being independent are the flexibility and control it provides.
See the report for more data and details.
Count me in this group! After running a business for the past 20 years, it's amazing to discover it all got easier after 50.
Maybe my ambitions changed or I'm just better able to cope, I don't know. However, I find I'm enjoying entrepreneurship more now than ever before.
Maybe it's who I'm talking to. My site seems to be popular with boomer entrepreneurial women.
Posted by: Dina Eisenberg |Speak Up Powerfully | April 05, 2012 at 12:24 PM